News

Feb272015 by Alex Leonards and Danae DizNo Comments

Islamic Society postpones controversial preacher in light of “Jihadi John” identification

The Islamic Society (ISOC) at Westminster University has stated it has no connection with Mohammed Emwazi, widely known as "Jihadi John." Talk postponed by a controversial Islamic preacher. By Alex Leonards and Danae Diz The student society, which was due to hold a talk by controversial "homophobic" speaker Shaykh Haitham al-Haddad, assured fellow students they had no connection with "Jihadi John”. The Society added that they were not connected to any extremist groups and it “should be obvious and not need stating, but given the climate, it has become necessary to clarify such things in statements such as this.” Infamous British IS member Mohammed Emwazi, also known as "Jihadi John", graduated from The University of Westminster in 2009 with a degree in Computer Science. But ISOC has

Feb272015 by Alex LeonardsNo Comments

‘Cheers for that. Now get out!’ Brixton traders told.

News

They have survived riots and drug dealing on their doorsteps, but it will be a redevelopment plan by Lambeth Council and landlord Network Rail that will seal the fate of many shop owners in Brixton. Alex Leonards visits Atlantic Road to speak to angry traders. Sub editor: Aimee Ren A & C Co. Continental Grocers has served Brixton for 25 years. In six months time the owners will have to abandon the shop that has seen them through Brixton's best and worst of times. “It’s really gutting,” says Bella, who has been at the grocers since the very beginning. “We were here when no one else would step foot in Brixton. We’ve been through it all: riots, drug dealers lined up every 10 yards,” she says. “And now that it’s all nice, it’s like ‘Oh, cheers for that. Now get out’.” These days wal

Feb272015 by Editor2No Comments

Cyclists’ safety first: intelligent bike helmets warn of accidents

Health, News, Sport, Tech

Twelve cyclists crash with motor vehicles in London each day, a new study reveals. Can smart bike helmets as developed by Volvo help to keep cyclists safe? Reporter: Danae Diz Sub-editor: Hussein Abdel Fattah A new helmet for cyclists, revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last month, is designed to make cycling a much more safer experience. The helmet spots imminent crashes through a sensor, which informs the cyclist when they are in the blind spot of a car, prompting them to move aside to avoid a collision. 50% of the cyclist deaths in London happen because of car driver's blind spots, a new major study by insurer Aviva has revealed. The prototype was designed and developed by car maker Volvo and works with a popular fitness monitoring app tha

Feb262015 by <a href="https://kaitborsay.wordpress.com">Kait Borsay</a>No Comments

Are young Jewish adults at risk of terrorist attacks in London?

News, Opinion, Politics

The UK's terror threat level is currently "severe", and recent Islamist attacks in Paris and Copenhagen have emphasized the sincerity of this threat further. In London, the Jewish Community feels particularly at risk. Kait Borsay talks to young Jewish adults and finds a surprising reaction. Reporter: Kait Borsay @kaitborsay Sub editor: Cynthia Gregoire @modjournalist The UK has recorded the highest-ever number of anti-Semitic incidents in 2014, reports the Jewish protection group Community Security Trust. Compared with the previous year, the incidents more than doubled. The trust urges the Jewish community to maintain a high level of alert after the attacks in Paris and Copenhagen. But how do you live under a constant threat simply for being Jewish? Zoe Hillman is a 19-year-

Feb232015 by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/sashasamiksha">Samiksha Pattanaik </a>No Comments

Ugly dogs get left abandoned

News

They may be man’s best friend, but the British love of dogs has its limits as more are abandoned. Kai, a male shar-pei crossbreed, was left abandoned at Ayr railway station, Scotland, along with a suitcase. This week saw yet another repetition of the same incident when a black Staffie was found crying as he sat tied to railings at an East Sussex railway station. While only a few cases attract attention, there are many more left homeless on a daily basis. Research conducted by dog adoption site DogsBlog.com and The Co-operative Insurance, found that in 2013 over sixty-seven percent of animal rescue centres in the UK saw an increase in the number of abandoned dogs. An estimated 130,000 dogs are abandoned a year in the UK and approximately one healthy dog or puppy is put to death

Feb232015 by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jipsarosey">Jipsa George</a>1 Comment

The West Meets the East: London Celebrates The Chinese New Year in Style

Culture, International, News

Soho's Chinese New Year celebrations were alive and full of colour as they welcomed in 2015: 'The Year of the Sheep' Reporters: Jipsa George @jipsarosey and Li Ying Sub-Editor: Cristiana Ferrauti Thousands of people joined the celebrations in London to welcome the start of a New Year for the Chinese community. The parade started in Trafalgar Square, where handcrafted floats led a procession to Shaftesbury Avenue, followed by dance, music and acrobatics to entertain the crowd. The event is known to be one of the biggest celebrations outside of Asia, bringing many people together despite their cultural differences. Jipsa George reports: The Year of the Sheep The Sheep - also referred to as the Ram or the Goat - is the eighth sign of the twelve year cycle of

Feb232015 by <a href="qiweiwang.wordpress.com">Qiwei Wang</a>1 Comment

Festival Volunteers: Unsung Heroes Bring Colour to Chinese New Year

Culture, International, News, Specials

Meet the backbones of Chinese New Year Celebrations, without whom the festival would not be possible. By Qiwei Wang, subeditor Tara Mearsheimer. They come from all walks of life and they decide to celebrate the New Year Festival in a unique way— by becoming part of it. From providing information to the visitors, to supporting the operations at backstage, more than a hundred volunteers joined the big army of people celebrating the Chinese New Year. It’s not just their bright-colored uniforms that distinguish them from the crowds that gathered at Trafalgar Square. It’s also their passion to contribute and eagerness to help. In order to make the festival go smoothly, these volunteers had to make a sacrifice. They arrived before anyone else at the

Feb212015 by <a href="http://www.criferwriting.blogspot.co.uk/">Cristiana Ferrauti</a>1 Comment

London and China celebrate more than just a cultural interest

Culture, News

London proudly hosts the biggest Chinese New Year's parade outside China. With a community of 120,000 people, the Chinese have become one of the largest minorities in the capital. Join them celebrating their culture. Reporter: Cristiana Ferrauti @Cristiana16492 Sub-editor: Jipsa George Londoners will join the Chinese community this February to celebrate Chinese New Year on a large and colourful scale. On Sunday, 22. February, dragon and lion dances, and a parade will happen in Chinatown and around Trafalgar Square from 10am on to welcome "The Year of the Goat". The feast in the British capital is known as the biggest outside Asia. Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is the most important celebration in China. Fireworks, parades and stage shows along with many other

Feb152015 by Samiksha PattanaikNo Comments

Campaign group praises cycle highway plan

News

The cycle superhighway proposal has had the green light from Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Samiksha Pattanaik speaks with John Dunn, a passionate cyclist and campaigner, about the perils of riding in the capital Sub editor: Marina Skalic. On a sunny Sunday morning, John Dunn stands in the heart of Kingston upon Thames, greeting the participants who have gathered to partake in “the Sunday ride”. The ride is more popularly known as 'the bread pudding ride', as John always brings a home-made bread pudding to share with the participants. Dunn, a passionate cyclist from Kingston upon Thames, is a vocal campaigner for the safety of cyclists, and an influential leader for the promotion of cycling in the borough. Last year he was nominated for the 2014 Campaigner Awards under the Be

Feb112015 by Sohini SinhaNo Comments

Forced adoption campaigner helps parents

News

Every year about 11,000 children are taken into local authority care without the consent of their parents. Last year, more than 2,400 of them were forcibly adopted the BBC recently disclosed. By Sohini Sinha. Sub-editor Marina Skalic It is a controversial practice that is facing criticism not just in the UK, but from politicians in Europe where forced adoption is rare. Forced adoption involves the removal of a child from their parents without consent and usually against their will. A campaigner against this wrong practise is Ian Josephs. His main objective is to persuade the UK government to abolish “forced adoption” and stop “punishment without crime”. He says, He says: “Unlike most that fight them, I and my family have never been troubled personally by UK social services, even wh